Some people wait for permission. Mark Sanders isn’t one of them. At just 23 years old, Mark is already rewriting the rules—not just for himself, but for anyone who has ever been told to stay in their lane. Raised in Chicago, now building a life in Paris, Mark is proving that where you start doesn’t define where you end up.
His mission? To show young people—especially young Black men—that they are NOT limited by their circumstances.
"I want to lead by example and show people that they can take their life into their own hands," Mark says. "That they don’t have to live in fear. That they are free."
That idea—freedom—is what drives him. Freedom to learn, to create, to live life on his own terms. And in doing so, he’s opening doors for others to walk through.
Passion: Breaking the Chains of Fear
Mark’s story begins with a mother who understood the power of words. An English teacher and single mom, she raised him on literature and poetry, teaching him to read before most kids could tie their shoes. What seemed like a small advantage turned into a lifelong superpower.
"My mom told me, ‘I blame myself for making you read so much because now you think you can do whatever you want,’" Mark recalls with a laugh. "And she’s right. Reading showed me that the world was bigger than my neighborhood. It gave me the courage to explore."
And explore he did. But books weren’t the only thing shaping him. Growing up in Chicago during a time of intense racial tension, Mark saw firsthand what it meant to be told who you are before you even have a chance to decide. He was writing about Trayvon Martin when he was nine. He was the only Black student in his class when he learned about a friends death at 16.
That’s when he made a choice: He would NOT live in fear. He would NOT see himself as a victim. He would NOT accept limits on his potential. Instead, he would carve his own path—and make sure others knew they could do the same.
Some people talk. Mark moves.
By high school, he had already rewritten his own future. He fought for a scholarship to a top private school, setting himself up for college and a career that many around him had never even imagined. But for Mark, success was never just about getting ahead—it was about pulling others up with him.
He began mentoring younger kids, showing them that their potential wasn’t defined by their circumstances. He spoke at after-school programs, teaching students how to navigate life, education, and the possibilities beyond their neighborhoods. And when the pandemic hit, he saw an opportunity to do even more.
"Mid-pandemic, I wanted to give kids the same tools I had," Mark says. "So I started a program to teach music production—giving eighth graders a DAW (digital audio workstation) and showing them how to create beats."
One of his students is now studying piano in college, using the very skills Mark introduced him to. That’s the real impact. It’s not just about music—it’s about creating new paths, new opportunities, and a new mindset for the next generation.
Let’s be real—this journey hasn’t been smooth.
Moving to Paris to chase his music career wasn’t easy. Navigating the visa system has been a nightmare. And there have been moments—more than a few—where he wondered if he was making the right call.
"You don’t create change by waiting for permission—you push forward, even when the path is unclear," Mark says.
So he does what he knows best. When things get tough, he starts by taking care of himself—hydrating, resting, resetting. Then, he shifts into action, tackling small tasks that create momentum. Whether it’s cleaning up, responding to emails, or making a quick call, every step moves him forward. It’s not just a routine—it’s a system. A survival mechanism. A mindset. And it works. Because no matter how hard things get, one thing is certain: Mark isn’t stopping.
Mark doesn’t believe in luck—but he does believe in responsibility.
Mark often reflects on the path that led him here, knowing how easily things could have turned out differently. Why him? Why was he the one Black boy born to an educator? Why was he the one who got out when so many others didn’t?
"It could have gone so differently," he admits.
His grandmother’s words have stayed with him: To whom much is given, much is required. That belief fuels everything he does. He refuses to waste the opportunities he’s had, refuses to be someone who made it out and never looked back.
That’s why he mentors, gives back, and stays connected to the communities that shaped him. Because he doesn’t just owe it to himself—he owes it to the next Mark Sanders.
Mark isn’t done. Not even close.
He’s mastering French and settling into life in Paris. He’s building his music career, taking bold steps toward his biggest goals yet. He’s giving back—supporting the Chicago music school that shaped him, working toward becoming one of its biggest donors. And he’s still mentoring, reminding young people that they are not trapped, that their future is theirs to shape.
"Operate fearlessly and with integrity," he says. "Don’t wait for permission to live your life."
For Mark, the goal isn’t just success—it’s impact. His dream is to build a legacy bigger than music, one that empowers others to believe in their own limitless potential. And with that, he moves forward—leading by example.
This is what Pathfinders is about. Real people. Real stories. Real change.
🔗 LinkedIn: Mark Sanders
📩 Email: markv3rd@icloud.com
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